September 27, 2024. Chapter 1-2. I'm late again today. The next update will be after midnight or around 2 hours at the most.
“Cuddle Muffin,” Zia called while lying next to Clint. “I feel bad for Kent. The resort said there is no refund whatsoever.”Clint and Zia were back in their villa, getting ready to sleep. They had spent two hours with Kent, offering him advice and listening to his frustration. After that, Kent appeared to have regained his reasons. It also helped that Brian came to speak to Kent and gave advice based on his recent experience with Cliare Monet. “Well, Sweet Lips.” Clint urged Zia to rest on his arm. He pulled her closer to him and answered, “It’s a very last-minute cancellation. The resort will lose a lot of money if they give any refund.”Zia made a face and remarked, “I know. I just feel bad for him. I wished there was another way for him to get at least half of the money -”An idea crept into Zia’s head. She asked, “What about the conference? There is always a special dinner at the end of it -”“That’s already been paid for too, Zia,” Clint revealed. “Oh, well, too bad,” Zia said.
"I want to try a new look and surprise you," Zia told Clint. "I'm doing my hair and makeup at the resort's salon and spa. I'll change there too, so that means I'll see you at the dinner party.""Wow, I wanna try another look too!" Clint responded. "Really?" Zia reacted with a smile. "I'd like to see that.""Yeah. That means I will also change at the spa," Clint suggested, and Zia cracked up. "No! I wanted to surprise you!" Zia declared. She put her arm around Clint and kissed him briefly. Then, she requested, "Please, Cuddle Muffin."Clint sighed and responded, "Fine, but don't take too long.""Ah, you miss me already?" Zia teased before requesting a shuttle to take them. The day of the anniversary dinner arrived. Guests were coming from Bradford's side, plus the Kings and the Eros family. Of course, since the Masons were still around, Clint invited them too as a courtesy, and Zia thought that was very considerate of Clint. With only an hour and a half to go, Zia left the villa wit
"Shut up! Shut up! I can't sleep! Ahh!" Claire shrieked at her baby girl, who had been crying for the past two hours. The baby was in the crib in the apartment's living room. The door to their apartment suddenly burst open, and William Barlowe entered. He frowned and scolded, "Why are you screaming at our daughter? She is just a baby! What's wrong with you?""What's wrong with me?" Claire asked back, weeping. "This isn't the life I wanted! Why can't you hire a nanny for the baby? Where did all your money go?"William rushed to the baby and consoled her. Then, he turned to Claire, saying, "Have you forgotten I lost everything after the divorce? I still need to give child support to my other kids!" "Regardless of how little money I have, this is no way to treat a baby! Don't you love our child?" William asked. "I - I can't live like this? William, I - I should leave the baby to you," Claire said in desperation. Claire barely has any money left with her, either. Most of it was spent o
“Well, what is it, Raelyn?” Charles asked loudly from outside the ladies’ room. “Is it done?”Then, he muttered, “This isn’t actually the first time she threw up, but it just never occurred to me that she could be carrying a child.”“Are you done, Mom?” Riley also inquired. She was situated behind the cubicle, waiting for the results. Renee was inside the ladies’ room with Riley. She was standing on her own, but she still had a walking stick to help her balance. She fanned her face and said, “I’m nervous. Hurry, Raelyn! Hurry!”“Is she pregnant?” Outside, Abner asked aloud. “Mom, try it twice, okay? So that’s a double confirmation,” Riley suggested. “Can you imagine Freya having a younger uncle or aunt?” Renee asked Riley, and they both made varied expressions.“Well, that does happen,” Riley said. “Oh, my god! My daughter will be so confused.”Clearly, there is a commotion in there,” Adrian said. “You are all pressuring Raelyn,” Anthony commented. “Haha! Give her some space!”Only
Renee made a face. She pouted and complimented, “Wow, even with your hand slightly shaking, you can do a good massage.”“I have to push myself, so I use all parts of my body and get off this wheelchair,” Anthony said. While Anthony could walk, he could not balance himself for longer than twenty seconds. After his accident, he suffered muscle weakness on one side of his body, which was why he and Renee were having treatments together.They go to the hospital together and have their treatments. Sometimes, they have lunch together after the hospital visit. So, pretty much, Renee and Anthony have gotten used to each other’s presence, but rarely do they delve into their personal lives. If they end up in a chat, they often talk about Riley and Adrian, their treatments, the people who help them, and Anthony’s work. “But where did you learn to massage like this?” Renee asked. “I used to give Freya massages when she was pregnant. I had to learn,” Anthony revealed. “You must miss her,” Renee
“Here, this is for you. I had my omelet made, and I got yours too. You like your eggs soft, right? Lightly cooked?” Renee said while putting the egg dish in front of Anthony. “Yes.” Anthony smiled at Renee. “You remember, thank you.”Renee’s face burned as she took her seat beside Anthony. For the first few seconds, she studied how he ate the omelet. After seeing a satisfied smile on his face, she ate her breakfast silently. No, they did not get to finish their sunrise walk, for they were already hungry at eight in the morning. So, they made their way to the resort restaurant instead. They met Raelyn and Charles there, who were already settled at a long table reserved for their group. As Renee ate, she felt someone staring at her. She looked up to find Raelyn, giving her a questioning look. Thankfully, Riley, Adrian, and Abner arrived at the restaurant. Clint, Zia, and their families also came to have breakfast, distracting Raelyn from whatever speculations were cooking in her head
Everyone’s eyes were on Anthony at that point. Renee was particularly confused with his actions. But eventually, Anthony responded to Michael with a laugh, saying, “Ask me? I’m not Renee. Why don’t you ask her?”“I was— I was helping her out. It’s the first time you have met, and Renee tends to be reserved around new people,” Anthony suggested.The commissioner leaned back. He crossed his arms against his chest and said, “Okay, well. Let’s try that again, shall we?”“Renee?” Michael asked. “Go ahead, ask me anything,” Renee politely responded.“Yes, Michael, you can ask Renee anything,” Abner encouraged. While all this was happening, Renee noticed Adrian giving Anthony a strange look. Once Anthony became aware, he turned his attention to his food and simply listened. “Are you married, Renee?” Michael asked. “No, I am single. I have never been married,” Renee answered with a smile. “Well, I am a divorced man. So, I have been single for five years,” the commissioner said in a joking
At first, Anthony simply felt sorry for Renee and what she had been through. She was often left out because of her condition, unable to join Riley and Adrian in their quest for the truth about Raelyn.While living under Adrian’s roof, he got to know Renee’s personality. Her motherly qualities shone, reminding Anthony of Freya. This remained true even after learning that Raelyn was alive. Despite her struggle to walk properly, Renee tried to get involved in preparing Riley and Adrian’s breakfast. Together with Linda, she was often the first one at the dining table with a big smile on her face. “Good morning! A healthy breakfast to start everyone’s day!”“I made smoothies! With Linda’s help, of course. This will be great for the baby, Riley.”“Adrian, are you sure you are going to work? How about taking a break? You look like you could use some.”“Anthony? Are you leaving without breakfast? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, plus you get to spend it with family. Why don’t